Temperature Extremes (hot and cold)

Working in both extreme cold and hot conditions comes with various risks and hazards. Failing to maintain healthy body temperature can lead to cold and heat related illnesses. 

Working in Heat:

Heat-related illnesses occur when our bodies can’t cool down well enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Some risks of experiencing extreme heat are dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 

Heat exhaustion

• A condition that occurs when your body overheats, usually when reaching a body temperature of 38-39ºC. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.

• Symptoms include:

  • Heavy sweating

  • Pale skin

  • Muscle cramps

  • Weakness

  • Dizziness, nausea, fainting

  • Headache

  • Vomiting

  • Rapid pulse

• First aid:

  • Find a cool area and lay down

  • Remove excess clothing including shoes and socks

  • Cool the person down by wetting their skin, fanning continuously, applying ice packs or damp towel on neck, groin or armpits.

  • Frequent sips of cool water

Heat Stroke

• Heatstroke can occur when the core body temperature exceeds 40ºC and blood flow to internal organs is restricted. Heatstroke can appear similar to heat exhaustion but with some differences in symptoms.

• Symptoms include:

  • Confusion or agitation

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Profuse sweating or hot, dry skin

  • Muscle twitching or seizures

  • Rapid breathing, rapid pulse

  • Very high body temperature

• First aid:

  • Find cool, shaded area and lay down

  • Remove excess clothing including shoes and socks

  • Cool the person down by wetting their skin, fanning continuously, applying ice packs or damp towel on neck, groin or armpits.

  • Give the person cool water to drink if they are fully conscious and able to swallow.

  • Position an unconscious person on their side and ensure they are breathing normally. 

Dehydration

• Dehydration occurs when the body doesn’t have enough fluid to carry out its normal functions.

• Symptoms include:

  • Thirst

  • Dry mouth

  • Passing less urine than usual

  • Dark or strong-smelling urine

  • Dizziness or headache

  • Irritability or difficulty thinking clearly

• First aid:

  • Move to a cool area and rest

  • Drink plenty of fluids

  • Remove unnecessary clothing

  • Cool down by wetting the skin with cool water

All heat-related illnesses should be taken seriously. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist or if the condition worsens.

Mover Responsibilities:

• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day

• Contact a manager if the you’re concerned about your wellbeing due to the heat

• Monitor your body temperature and physical wellbeing throughout the day

• Consult Fatigue Management policy and activate it, if needed

Manager/MWAV Responsibilities:

• Keep relevant policies and procedures up to date on how to manage extreme heat

• Provide safety precautions for movers such as sunscreen and uniform hats readily available and access to drinking water at the depot

• Manage the schedule to ensure early starts and early finishes are provided, where possible

How to Lessen/Manage the Risks:

• Ensure you have access to drinking water during the day and fill up your drink bottle as often as possible

• Stay in shade when you can and take breaks as often as necessary

• Apply sunscreen throughout the day

Working in the Cold

Hypothermia, cold stress and other illnesses can occur when people are exposed to prolonged cold temperatures. It is important to understand the risks and hazards you might face during these cold temperatures.

Hypothermia

• This may occur when an individuals core body temperature decreases when exposed to cold or wet environments.

• Symptoms include:

  • Uncontrollable shivering

  • Numbness of hands and feet

  • Slurred speech

  • Dazed and/or irrational behaviour

Trench Foot and Frostbite

• Trench foot and frostbite can occur when your bodies extremities become wet in low to freezing temperatures. Frostbite usually affects the hands, fingers, toes, feet, ears and nose. 

• Symptoms include:

  • Pain

  • Swelling

  • Numbness

  • Discolouration (reddened with white patches)

  • Hardening or blistering of the skin

• First aid:

  • Remove the person from a cold surface, and a windy or wet environment

  • Cover as much of the person as possible to avoid heat loss

  • Dry the skin and remove any wet clothing, when appropriate

All cold temperature related illnesses should be taken seriously. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention.

Mover Responsibilities:

• Bring a rain jacket or spare uniform, including socks, to help keep you dry and warm

• Contact a manager if you’re concerned about the cold temperatures or changes in physical wellbeing due to the temperature

Manager/MWAV Responsibilities:

• Ensure policies and procedures for temperature extremes and environmental hazards are kept up to date

• Have warm, dry uniform for all movers readily available

• Encourage movers to dress for the conditions of the day